ok, i think for ease of programming, since im so new and all, i will go with the first configuration. I tried modifieing some of your example code, since i have a 12x24 matrix (12 RGBs) so really 36x24

Do you think you could show me an example of how I could get it to slowly cycle through all the columns? Like turn on red for column 1 then wait a second then move on to column 2 repeat. When it gets to the end, that is, it's gone through all 24 columns, then repeat with blue, then green, then the other combinations?? Not sue where to start for that... Thank you!!

"It's Dr. Evil. I didn't spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called 'mister,' thank you very much."

PHEW. ok sorry about the delay, lots of stuff to do and all that. I FINALLY got some lights on! (just spend 2 1/2 hours doing some trial and error and working my way up on code) Minus 2 leds that need replacing and what i think to be a MOSFET that might be troubled, it works perfectly! you can see in the pics the column that needs replacing, and the 2 leds that are out, one has a blue out, the other has a red. Unfortunately your code didnt work... I tried some manipulations but i really dont know what i am doing, its like trying to build the Eiffel Tower out of legos while wearing boxing gloves. But hey, who doesnt love to learn? I worked my way up to this code:

Ewwwww, isnt that gross?? Do you know a basic way to shorten it? Fortunately the SPI is working, i startedwith shiftOut(), but there was a ton of flickering, i tried messing with the output enabler, but no good.

now then; what suggestions do you have for learning how to make more complicated animations? Your code seems like it would work, and i have a BASIC understanding of it. Maybe you could revise it? I'll keep trying to expand my knowledge and fix those minor hardware issues. Thank you so much for all your help so far! and thanks for directing me towards the SPI,

Thanks Nick, the thread didnt really help but Mikes webpage on arrays was nice. Im looking for something like what CrossRoads is doing, set up something like a blinkwithoutdelay program at the beginning (or end?) of the loop that cycles the gnd MOSFETS so it really only displays one column at a time, but thanks to persistance of vision we see a whole image. I have it doing that now with 500 microsecond delays between SPI transfers, that seems to be fast enough. So if my math is correct (and i dont think it is) that would be a refresh time of about ~83 Hz? doesnt really matter, but i also want to be able to punch that in at the top of the whole thing, like right now. Anyway kinda ranting, the main thing i am having trouble with is understyanding how to set up that first main part that cycles through the columns. Thanks!

"It's Dr. Evil. I didn't spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called 'mister,' thank you very much."

Ok great,i think we are off to a good start, still cant get anything to light up with the shorter code though. got those bad leds fixed and the faulty mosfet out of there so the hardware is 100% now. I gave a shot at trying to turn on all the colors at once with some of your new stuff and some guessing on my part (its really like boxing gloves and legos) unfortunately it didnt do anything.

this confuses me just a bit, could you possibly show me those 24 byte arrays? What im after is all leds on throughout the table, no fancy animations, no bling, just all on. thanks! really happy with how this is coming along.

"It's Dr. Evil. I didn't spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called 'mister,' thank you very much."